Hayek went on to say that the Swiss watchmaker had made the
strategic decision not to go head to head with Apple by creating
a phone or computer for the wrist. One of the main reasons behind
this decision is because the Apple Watch has to be charged once a
day.

Instead, Swatch plans to release multiple, simple devices like
the Touch Zero, which will be followed by the Touch Zero Two next
August. Hayek pointed out that the battery on the Touch Zero One,
which counts steps and calories, lasts for nine months. The
company also plans to bring out an NFC-enabled watch "as an
alternative to a credit card" later this year.

Hayek sees the development of smarter watches as an "opportunity
for the Swiss watch industry."

"The clock, as we know it today will continue to exist, and we
are able to win additional customers interested in technological
watches," he told Tages-Anzeiger.

But the Swiss watch industry has run into some trouble recently.
Swiss watchmakers had a terrible month last month, with
overall exports 9.3% lower than a year earlier. Chinese market
segment dropping by more than 39%. Sales to the United Arab
Emirates also tanked 29.8%. France gave them some respite,
however, with watch sales to France jumping more than 50% in
July.